New research has highlighted the role of self-blame and self-disgust in increasing suicide risk among individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as sexual minorities. The findings, published in the International Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, suggest that internalised emotions may be more strongly associated with suicidal ideation than externalised blame or disgust towards others.
The study examined two distinct groups, one comprising individuals diagnosed with mood or anxiety disorders and another consisting of sexual minority adults. Participants completed self-report measures to assess their levels of blame, disgust, and suicidal ideation. Results indicated that self-blame was significantly correlated with suicidal ideation, but when self-disgust was factored in, it became a more dominant predictor of suicide risk. Those who experienced both self-disgust and societal disgust exhibited the highest levels of suicidal ideation.
Researchers suggest that self-disgust, compared to self-blame, is a more entrenched emotional response that may contribute to a sense of contamination or unworthiness. Unlike self-blame, which focuses on specific actions or perceived failures, self-disgust appears to target a person’s entire identity, making it a stronger predictor of suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, the study found that while externalised blame and disgust were present, they were not as strongly linked to suicide risk.
The results align with established theories of suicide, including the interpersonal theory, which posits that feelings of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness contribute significantly to suicidal ideation. The study supports the notion that self-disgust may reinforce these feelings, leading individuals to believe they are inherently flawed or undeserving of support. In contrast, those who attribute blame or disgust to external sources may experience some level of psychological buffering, reducing their suicide risk.
Among the clinical sample of individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, self-blame at both admission and discharge was associated with suicidal ideation. However, the longitudinal aspect of the study did not find that self-blame at admission predicted suicidal ideation at discharge. This suggests that self-blame may not have a lasting effect on suicide risk but rather reflects a temporary emotional state. Conversely, self-disgust remained a consistent predictor of suicidal ideation across different groups, reinforcing its significance as a psychological risk factor.
The study also examined sexual minority adults, a group known to experience higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders. In this cohort, self-disgust and societal disgust were more predictive of suicidal ideation than self-blame. The interaction between these two factors suggested that individuals who internalised both self-disgust and a broader sense of societal rejection faced the highest risk of suicidal thoughts. These findings underscore the importance of addressing internalised emotions in mental health interventions tailored for sexual minority individuals.
